“I really only just found out, Dory.” Was all the apology she could muster. The reality settled on her like a heavy weight, and she felt frozen; by dread, regret, fear. It would be a while until she could pinpoint any other emotion besides those three. She wanted to know how he felt about it, but if she knew him, he would likely want to know her thoughts first.
How could she do that when she hardly knew how to react in the first place? Was she in any position to take care of a child? And what if Dory didn’t want anything to do with it? Chewing her lip, she could scarcely take her eyes off of the non-existent spot between them. Raising her gaze to meet his seemed like a Herculean task.
Blinking rapidly, she sighed. “There’s not much I’m entitled to feel, I suppose. I have to keep it or give it away. If I go-” Here she couldn’t even say the word. “-the other route, it would still be illegal, and I could lose my job if anyone found out but I suppose once I’m found out, I’ll lose it either way.” Once she started to talk, it was as if flood gates had opened. “I’ll be ruined, I won’t be able to find a job anywhere, and even if I did, who would want a new mother who had to take care of her child first and foremost? The Astorwoods have money, but I can hardly imagine they would keep me in the house after this, much less look at me in the eye—” It was then that her voice broke and she slumped forwards, head in hands. This was all too quick. It was happening too quickly.
How could she do that when she hardly knew how to react in the first place? Was she in any position to take care of a child? And what if Dory didn’t want anything to do with it? Chewing her lip, she could scarcely take her eyes off of the non-existent spot between them. Raising her gaze to meet his seemed like a Herculean task.
Blinking rapidly, she sighed. “There’s not much I’m entitled to feel, I suppose. I have to keep it or give it away. If I go-” Here she couldn’t even say the word. “-the other route, it would still be illegal, and I could lose my job if anyone found out but I suppose once I’m found out, I’ll lose it either way.” Once she started to talk, it was as if flood gates had opened. “I’ll be ruined, I won’t be able to find a job anywhere, and even if I did, who would want a new mother who had to take care of her child first and foremost? The Astorwoods have money, but I can hardly imagine they would keep me in the house after this, much less look at me in the eye—” It was then that her voice broke and she slumped forwards, head in hands. This was all too quick. It was happening too quickly.
![[Image: QFB5GZw.jpeg]](https://i.imgur.com/QFB5GZw.jpeg)